Spurs 112, Memphis 92: Bouncing back strong

The Spurs’ first outing since their 19-game win streak was snapped in Oklahoma City wasn’t all extra passes and corner 3-pointers. Indeed, they’ll wait nervously for an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the back spasms that sent Tony Parker to the locker room after just nine minutes. It marks the latest setback for Parker, who has been hampered by no less than five specific injuries this season.

Otherwise, the Spurs (60-17) played about as well as could be expected, shaking off Parker’s early departure to take a 16-point lead, and pretty much cruising from there against a Grizzlies (45-32) team battling for its playoff life. It marked the Spurs’ 14th victory in the past 16 meetings since Memphis stunned them in the first round of the 2011 playoffs. “They’ve had our number for almost two years now,” Memphis point guard Mike Conley said.

Player of the game

Kawhi Leonard has been outstanding since his return from a broken hand. He enjoyed his best game yet, sinking 12 of 13 shots to tie his career-high with 26 points. As Manu Ginobili noted, much of the damage — 20, in fact– came on jumpers. Leonard wasn’t quite as active on defense, recording no steals or blocked shots. But then, he didn’t have to be while matched up against the likes of Courtney Lee and Tony Allen. Said Ginobili, “He was incredible.”

The turning point

The Spurs trailed for a grand total of 51 seconds, so Sunday’s game was never in doubt. But the Grizzlies did make them sweat, cutting a 16-point deficit down to six, 42-36, late in the second quarter. The Spurs responded immediately, closing the period with a 12-2 run — their third of the half — to go back up 16. Ginobili and Leonard have five points apiece, including the latter’s pull-up 3 in transition just before the buzzer sounded.

News, notes and observations

* Leonard overshadowed one of the most efficient games of Ginobili’s career with 26 points on just 11 shots. It marked only the fourth time he’s ever enjoyed such a healthy ratio.

* In addition to hitting the 60-win threshold for the fifth time in franchise history, the Spurs secured homecourt advantage through the Finals over every team but Oklahoma City. Their magic number to finish off the Thunder is two with five games remaining. (For reference’s sake, the club record for victories is 63, set in 2005-06.)

* Zach Randolph, San Antonio’s scourge in the 2011 playoffs, has been absolutely abysmal against the Spurs since that series. His woes continued on Sunday as he shot 3 for 8 from the field with just eight points. It marked his 10th straight game under 40 percent, dropping his overall percent since his 31-point outing in the 2011 clincher to 33.9 (60 for 177).

* Leonard reacted to the best scoring night of his professional career as you would expect: